Gov. Cuomo: New York state to close funding gap for planned polar bear exhibit at Buffalo Zoo

by jmaloni

Press release

Mon, Nov 11th 2013 09:20 am

Kali

Zoo's popular polar bear cubs Luna and Kali will have a new
home in state-of-the-art "Arctic Edge" exhibit

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced
Sunday that, with New York state's assistance, the Buffalo Zoo will close its
current funding gap and move forward with an $18 million new entry complex and
state-of-the-art habitat for polar bears and other Arctic species. With the assistance
of $750,000 from the governor's NY Works program, the planned "Arctic Edge"
exhibit will create a new home for the zoo's popular polar bear cubs.

"The Buffalo Zoo is the most
visited tourist destination in Erie County, and supporting the 'Arctic Edge'
exhibit will help it draw even more travelers to Western New York," Cuomo said.
"This project is accomplishing much-needed upgrades that will further cement
the zoo's status as a driver of tourism and economic activity throughout the
region, and I am pleased that Luna and Kali will be able to continue their stay
in Buffalo."

Buffalo Zoo President Donna
Fernandes said, "We are extremely grateful to Gov. Cuomo for putting 'The Bear
Necessities Campaign' over the top and ensuring that the 'Arctic Edge' exhibit
will be built. We are thrilled that he recognizes the significance of cultural
tourism to the area and the role that the Buffalo Zoo plays in bringing people
to Western New York. Our deepest thanks go out to the governor for making sure
that our bears will remain in Buffalo."

The Western New York Regional
Economic Development Council named the "Arctic Edge" exhibit a regional
priority in 2011, as it aligns with the council's tourism and smart growth strategies.
Funding commitments from public sources include $3 million from Erie County,
$1.085 million from the City of Buffalo, $776,000 from the New York State Environmental
Protection Fund, $400,000 from Sen. Mark Grisanti and the Western New York
Senate delegation, $400,000 from Assemblyman Sean Ryan and the Western New York
Assembly delegation, $150,000 from the Dormitory Authority of the State of New
York and $15,500 from the Buffalo City Council.

For more than a century, polar
bears have been among the most popular animals at the Buffalo Zoo. In order to
keep this iconic species at the Buffalo Zoo, a new exhibit must be built to
meet the current husbandry standards adopted by the Association of Zoos and
Aquariums, the Buffalo Zoo's professional accrediting body. The current bear
exhibit dates back to the 1890s with only modest changes over the past 120
years and, as a result, Buffalo's adult polar bears have had to be relocated to
other zoos out of state.

The Buffalo Zoo's "Arctic Edge,"
which will create 228 construction jobs, will be more than 60,000 square feet
(1.5 acres) in size and replicate the snowy, frozen climate of the Arctic
Circle. Two large exhibits will house polar bears while three smaller
enclosures will feature arctic wolf, bald eagle and Canadian lynx to illustrate
the diversity of species that have adapted to life in this harsh climate. The
landscape will be naturalistic and will include two large saltwater pools,
natural boulders and a variety of substrates. A sophisticated life support system
will be utilized to maintain high water quality. Underwater viewing will enable
visitors to get an up-close look at the bears' swimming styles, natural
behaviors and playful antics.

An Arctic conservation center will
also provide enhanced educational opportunities for the exhibit. Climate
change, its effects on the polar bear population and simple changes people can
make in their daily lives to reduce the threat of global warming, will be
featured. Programming for school groups and general visitors will be
implemented to create a more educated public, which in turn will help protect
this iconic species.

Over the past decade, an
investment of $32 million in new exhibits and visitor amenities has helped the Buffalo
Zoo grow from 330,000 to 450,000 visitors annually, with 35 percent of visitors
coming from outside Erie County. It is a leading employer of unskilled youth
within the City of Buffalo, who are trained to work in its ticketing, food
service and gift shop operations. Many of these jobs would be at risk, as well
as skilled zookeeper positions, if this project was not completed and the polar
bears were sent to another facility. Construction of a state-of-the-art polar
bear habitat will also put a positive spin on Buffalo's 'Snowbelt' image and significantly
enhance the Buffalo Zoo's winter attendance.

Grisanti said, "Once again, Gov.
Cuomo and his team continue to show their commitment to Western New York. By
completing the funds needed for the artic exhibit at the Buffalo Zoo, we have
solidified our standing to keep Luna and a strong case to keep the orphan cub
Kali. This exhibit will be a tremendous boost to tourism and the economy for
Buffalo and Western New York. We have never seen the type of commitment on both
an economic development and tourism aspect as to what Gov. Cuomo has brought
and continues to bring to the people of Western New York."

Ryan said, "Today's
announcement ensures the 'Arctic Edge, exhibit will have all the necessary
financing to be completed on schedule, which is terrific news for our polar
bears Luna and Kali. Our polar bears belong in Buffalo, and I am thankful that
Gov. Cuomo is making this critical investment that will allow the Buffalo Zoo
to continue to thrive for decades to come. The Buffalo Zoo is an incredibly
important tourist destination for Buffalo and Western New York. Luna and Kali's
future home, the 'Arctic Edge' exhibit, will bring continued economic benefits
to Buffalo and our entire region."

Erie County Executive Mark
Poloncarz said, "I'd like to thank the governor for closing the gap to
ensure the complete construction of the polar bear exhibit. This truly was a
unified effort between state and local leaders to support one of our greatest
assets, the Buffalo Zoo."

Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said,
"The polar bear exhibit is an important part of not just the zoo, but also
of the tourism economy of Buffalo and Western New York. We thank Gov. Cuomo for
providing this important piece of funding to close the gap and make this project
happen. The polar bear exhibit will be an exciting attraction that will provide
hours of education and entertainment for visitors and residents."